Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-10-10
CARDINAL Gibbons PASTORAL
On the Approac hing Jubilee Of Pope Leo
the Thirteenth.

The following letter was real 10 all the Catholic
churches in this diocese at ali the masses yester.
day morning:
Dearly Belored Brethren and Children in Christ.
II Is pious and cherished custom for children and
grandchildren TO celebrate with joyous festivtty
the frtieth anniversary of the marriage OF the
honored head OF the family, and to tender to him
aIectiOnate tokens OF their reverence and devo-
ton Inspired by like feelings OF filal piety the
faithful throughout the world are eagerly prepar-
ing TO commemorate the golden jubilee OF our
Holy Father, who, half century ago, knelt as a
young Levte before the altar Of God and took 1.-The
Lord as the portion OF his Inheritance OF his
chalice." And surely, dearly beloved brethren, the
rare occurrence or Such an event, the pre-
eminent virtues Of our spiritual father who is a
spectacle OF admiration to the world, TO
angels, and to men; the prominent part he
Il enacting in the history Of our times: the his
tor1c grandeur of his administration, which, like
that OF SixtuS v. crowds momentOuS events into
brief spaces OF time the influence he has exerted
In promoting peace between European powers;
the great esteem in which he IS held by all nations
out the Catholic world in testi1y1ng their homage
and loyalty on the occasion OF this auSplcious Gel
ebration above all, the special ties OF gratitude
which bind this see to the august person Of Leo
XII1-all these circumstances ought to inspire US
TO signalize the approaching jubilee with more
than ordinary enthusiasm. For, IL he is so much
esteemed by the cold and diSpaSSiOnate judgment
OF our separated brethren, how warm and enthu-
siastic should not our feelings be toward him. en-
JoyInS dS we 90 the privilege OF being called his
children and daily sharing I'm his fatherly solicit
tude, nls prayers, and benedictionS?
me hierarchy OF the United States proposes TO
celebrate the approaching jubilee by joint letter
OF congratulatfOn to the holy father In their own
name ana In the name OF the clergy and laity OF
tne Wnole country. AS, however, our expressions
Oh attachment should net be confined TO words,
am sure am Interpreting the wishes OF your
hearts In announcing to you that you will be in
Slteu 10 unite with your brethren throughout this
country ana the Catholic world In manifeSting in
SUBSTANTIAL manner your devotion TO the visible
hedu vi lne church. You are aware that no COM
puisory TAX Is imposed upon you to support the
Ialher or the faithful, though he has heavy bur-
dens TO sustain Yours are free-will offerings made
10 Inc vicar or Him who came on earth to rule
by love. Your only incentives are your
anu the promptingS OF loving heart.
A special collection for the holy father will ac-
cord1ngly be taken up in all the churches OF the
archdiocese on sunday, october III, the Feast OF
the Maternity Of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The
reverend clergy Will please call the attention OF
their respective congregations to this collection
and On the day OF the collection itself, with such
comments as their piCuS zeal Will suggest. 1t Is
earnestly hoped that the munflcence OF the Offer
ingS Will be in some degree commensurate with
the Soemnity OF the event we commemorate, and
with the strong claims which our august pOntin
has on the bounty OF his children.
From the receipt of this letter till January 1,
1888, reverend clergy will add the collect Pro
Papa In the mass on all days on which its use is
permitted by the "RubrlcS." The rectors OF
churches are also invited TO invest with unusual
solemntty the services at the high mass on Sun
day, January i, at which service they Will make
some allusiOn TO the sovereign pontin jubilee;
and at the end or the mass. or after vesperS a Te
Deum will be chanted in thanksgiving TO God for
our holy father, Leo XIII. The grace OF our Lord
Jesus Christ and the charity OF God and the COM
muncation OF the Holy Ghost be with you all
Amen. JAMES CARDINAL GIBBONS,
N -h1f,r, of pnIr f,,nr